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The Vulture Nest: Latest Music News

July 17, 2012 by Soph Goulopoulos in Featured, The Vulture with 0 Comments

There have been ups and downs for live music this past week. In another blow to the already troubled venue crisis, Sydney’s 127-year-old Sandringham Hotel, affectionately known as the Sando, went into receivership with a debt of $3.6 million owed to Bankwest.

“It’s sad,” owner Tony Townsend told the Sydney Morning Herald, “it’s sad for live music, it’s sad for me personally, it’s sad for my family. This was supposed to be not only a legacy for us but, I guess, our income retirement.”

For now, it’s “business as usual,” according to a statement made on the venue’s blog, “we’ll continue to keep you posted over the coming weeks…and will keep our fingers crossed that a happy solution for everyone will present itself.”

On a more positive note, the City of Yarra in Melbourne announced plans to create a new live music festival in winter of next year. The event will be held across existing live music venues in the area – which encompasses the talent-rife suburbs of Burnley, Cremorne, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, Abbotsford, Richmond, Fitzroy, North Carlton, North Fitzroy and Northcote (Alphington and Fairfield south of Heidelberg Rd) – and appeal to a variety of audiences.

“The musical program will have a broad appeal while also giving emerging local artists stage time,” says Mayor Cr Geoff Barbour, “we’re also keen to see a free concert held for residents who may not have the money to pay an entry fee.”

The Tote’s booker Amanda Palmer says she, like many others, would like to see the festival modeled on SXSW.

“While there’s a lot of regulations around venues, the support [of the council] is getting better,” she says, “this festival is definitely a step in the right direction.” That’s definitely a win.

In tour news (and in case you missed the radio pandemonium) Weezer will finally be returning to Australia for a national tour. After 16 years, countless false rumors and a blog called Weezer Hates Australia (which detailed reasons as to why the band wouldn’t tour Australia in five parts), the alt-rock legends return to our island in the sun in January next year. But you already knew that. Tickets for all shows go on sale on the 26^th of July.

The Rolling Stones celebrated the 50^th anniversary of their first ever gig on July 12. One of the greatest bands to grace the earth, the Stones played their first ever gig at London’s Marquee Cub in 1962; Mick Jagger was merely days from his 19^th birthday, while Keith Richards was 18 years old, along with original guitarist Brian Jones, pianist Ian Stewart and bassist Dick Tayor. Tony Chapman was most likely the drummer, but recollections are apparently hazy.